Programs

Laya Bhava Dance Academy provides several different classes for your needs and the student’s abilities. Below is a list of the several types of classes we offer.All LBDA classes are conducted in English.​

Recreational

Children Recreational ProgramThis class is for students wishing to be introduced to dance fundamentals in a fun and interactive way.

SUMMER CAMP (recreational program for children aged 5-12)Students are introduced to movement vocabulary, hand gestures and dance theatre in a fun and interactive way.

Adult Program​This class is designed purely to keep students fit and healthy while learning dance. Adults aged 20+ get to learn dance and prevent osteoporosis by exercising. Good health and exercise are taught in these classes. These classes are fun and educational. We have classes for the absolute beginner and intermediate dancer. ​

Professional Training Program

- Professional Program (Level 1 - Level 6)

These are designed for all students. There are group levels according to the student’s dance grade. There are beginners, grade one, all the way to grade seven group classes. Students are taught according to the Laya Bhava Dance Academy’s curriculum. This involves the practical and theoretical component of dance. As each student completes their grade there is an examination they must pass in order to successfully move on to the next grade. Student’s who pass grade four are prepared to perform their junior arangetram (graduation). These group classes prepare students for exams, performances and ultimately their arangetrams (three hour solo performance). Included in the training program are: Exam Preparation Class- Exam prep classes are specifically designed to help a student successfully pass their exam. Here we review all material learnt throughout the year. This includes all of the practical dances (adavu and songs learnt), thalam (singing and saying jethis), oral theory (meanings of Hasthas) and written theory (notes). These are offered during the spring, summer and early fall to ensure a student’s success. This class prepares students for exams, performances and arangetrams. Students in grade seven are allowed to job shadow and are taught nattuvangam.

SUMMER INTENSIVE (part of the Professional Training Program)The dancers of this program are groomed for professional careers and this initiative allows them to hone their performance skills for Laya Bhava Company productions and performances. This dancer training program was also conducted in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and was supported by the Ontario Arts Council.

-Salanga Pooja (by invitation only)This class is for students who have 1-3 years of training and are under the age of 10. They will perform either individually or in a group for a 1 hour recital.

- Arangetram program (by invitation only)

This class is for students wishing to do their junior and/or senior arangetrams. They are usually private or group if doing a group arangetram. These classes are very intense where the student must practice and be prepared for each class. Students have class at least once a week and are required to take lessons very seriously. Students must be at an advanced level to take these classes. Students preparing for their junior arangetrams must be entering their advance classes atleast.

- Private/Individual Class

Anyone interested in one-on-one learning can take this class. This class will only consist of the teacher and student. These classes are very beneficial because the student will not be distracted and the teacher can pay more close attention to the student. Students taking private lessons learn more material, learn at a faster pace and develop into beautiful dancers quite early on. This class prepares students for exams, performances, and arangetrams.

- Competition/ Performance Preparation

Performance classes are designed specifically for student’s wishing to perform/compete dance. They are designed to suit the student’s needs for wherever they want to perform. Furthermore, students also may be hand picked for the school’s upcoming events/shows. It is recommended that the student be at an intermediate level of dance to be able to perform. The primary focus of these classes are to completely learn an item and be able to successfully perform it. There is very little focus on the theoretical aspects of dance. This class prepares students for performances and arangetrams.

​LAYA BHAVA COMPANYDancers who have completed their training, dance in productions and company performances. Dancers are paid professional artist fees as outlined by CADA (Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists). Productions are almost always performed with live musicians. Carnatic Musicians the company has worked with include: Yadav Yadavan, Pon Sundaralingam, Prema Sriskandarajah, Vasudevan Rajalingam, Rathiruban Paramsothy, Thanathevy Mithradeva, Vijayaluxmy Srinivasan, Jayadevan Nair, Balamurali, & Kamala Sadasivam. ​​